She motioned him to a chair. He obeyed like one in a trance.
‚ÄúNow, Tom, be calm. When I was a baby I loved you, but that is long ago. Today, Tom, you‚Äôre an insufferable cad and I‚ÅÝ‚Äîwell, I‚Äôm too much like you to have two of us in the same family.‚Äù
‚ÄúBut, Stillings!‚Äù he burst forth, almost in tears. ‚ÄúThe snake‚ÅÝ‚Äîwhat is he?‚Äù
“Nearly as bad as you, I’ll admit; but he has four thousand a year and sense enough to keep it. In truth, I need it; for, thanks to your political activity, my own position is gone.”
‚ÄúBut he‚Äôs a‚ÅÝ‚Äîa damned rascal!‚Äù Wounded self-conceit was now getting the upper hand.
She laughed.
‚ÄúI think he is. But he‚Äôs such an exceptional rascal; he appeals to me. You know, Tom, we‚Äôre all more or less rascally‚ÅÝ‚Äîexcept one.‚Äù
“Except who?” he asked quickly.
“Bles Alwyn.”
“The fool!”
‚ÄúYes,‚Äù she slowly agreed. ‚ÄúBles Alwyn, the Fool‚ÅÝ‚Äîand the Man. But by grace of the Negro Problem, I cannot afford to marry a man‚ÅÝ‚ÄîHark! Someone is on the steps. I‚Äôm sure it‚Äôs Bles. You‚Äôd better go now. Don‚Äôt attempt to fight with him; he‚Äôs very strong. Good night.‚Äù
Alwyn entered. He didn’t notice Teerswell as he passed out. He went straight to Miss Wynn holding a crumpled note, and his voice faltered a little.